What’s happening: On March 27, the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI’s) Seismic Compliance Unit is holding a webinar from 9-10 a.m. (PT) on the requirement for the nonstructural performance category (NPC) 5 water rationing plan, which would support 72 hours of emergency operations.
What’s happening: Using the system developed by the Hospital Association of Oregon, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has launched implementation of a statewide, real-time bed tracking system: the Hospital Bed and Emergency Medical Services System (HBEDS).
What else to know: On April 3, CHA is hosting a members-only webinar to share CDPH’s goals for HBEDS and how it works. Registration is open for CHA members.
What’s happening: On March 13, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its report to Congress that includes fiscal year 2026 payment recommendations for hospitals and other Medicare fee-for-service payment systems.
What else to know: In the report, MedPAC urges Congress to update the base payment rate for hospitals by current law plus 1%.
What’s happening: As Congress works on a federal budget for 2026 that could result in devastating cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), it is imperative that all hospital leaders let members of Congress know directly the impact these cuts will have on the people and communities they represent. One effective method is to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper or another relevant news outlet, as did Elaine Batchlor, MD, who serves as CEO of MLK Community Healthcare in Los Angeles and as a CHA board member.
What’s happening: Leaders from California’s rural and critical access hospitals gathered on March 10-11 for the 40th CHA Rural Health Care Symposium.
What else to know: This year’s symposium in Sacramento saw a record attendance of about 80 CEOs and other rural hospital leaders. With major challenges looming at both the state and national levels, the event provided a forum for the CEOs to discuss essential issues and strategies for the future.
What’s happening: In just over six weeks, the Emergency Services Forum returns to Newport Beach, where emergency services professionals will gather for a day of learning, discussion, and networking.
What else to know: The forum, held May 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is open for registration. The deadline for booking at the discounted hotel room rate is April 14.
As Congress deliberates on stopgap measures to fund the government for 2025, the House of Representatives has passed a budget resolution for 2026 calling for $2 trillion in spending cuts, including $880 billion to come from programs overseen by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which — in addition to energy, the environment, and other issues — oversees Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California).
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will submit the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee (HQAF) program 9 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid no later than March 31. Once submitted, CHA will share a draft model for member hospitals to review that will include internal calculations to assist in their review.
What else to know: Shortly after the approved model is released, CHA will host a webinar to provide historical HQAF program context and share the changes specific to program 9. CHA News will share updates and information on program 9’s status, as well as related educational opportunities, as they become available.
What’s happening: This year’s National Patient Safety Awareness Week, which runs from March 9-15, is themed “Moving the Needle,” focusing on the importance of taking action to enhance safety for both patients and the teams that care for them.
What else to know: National Patient Safety Awareness Week is an opportunity for hospitals and health systems to renew their commitment to providing the highest quality and safest patient care.
What’s happening: Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (2024) authorizes the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to grant eligible general acute care hospitals a delay of up to three years beyond the Jan. 1, 2030, deadline for the seismic compliance of hospital buildings, provided that specified criteria are met.
What else to know: Policy Intent Notice (PIN) 80 outlines HCAI’s policy for implementing AB 869’s seismic compliance provisions. Hospitals requesting a delay must submit their seismic compliance plan by Jan. 1, 2026.